Multi-disc brake with fixed center brake pad assembly

Abstract

The invention provides a multi-disc brake for a vehicle having a knuckle for supporting a wheel of a vehicle and a hub mounted for rotation on the knuckle about a rotation axis. The multi-disc brake also includes a pair of discs mounted for rotation with and sliding movement on the hub along the rotation axis. Each disc includes inboard and outboard engaging surfaces. The multi-disc brake also includes a plurality of brake pad assemblies disposed in alternating arrangement between the discs. The multi-disc brake also includes a caliper disposed for sliding movement relative to the knuckle and having an inboard wall and a bridge portion extending from the inboard wall around the discs and the brake pad assemblies to an outboard wall adjacent to the outboard brake pad assembly. An actuator is disposed between the inboard wall of the caliper and the inboard brake pad assembly for urging the inboard brake pad assembly and the inboard wall apart to urge the brake pad assemblies and the discs together to slow rotation of the hub. The multi-disc brake also includes a guide fixed relative to the knuckle for guiding sliding movement of the inboard brake pad assembly and the outboard brake pad assembly wherein the center brake pad assembly being fixed to the guide for limiting taper of the brake pad assemblies.